PRESENT TENSES:
Present tenses
• There are four present tenses in
English:
o Present simple
o Present continuous
o Present perfect simple
o Present perfect continuous
Present simple: uses
I always have my breakfast in bed.
I go for a walk every afternoon.
Why are we using the present simple
here?
Present simple: uses
HABITS
Present simple: uses
Water boils when you heat it.
I have black eyes.
Why are we using the present simple
here?
Present simple: uses
SOMETHING THAT IS ALWAYS TRUE,
A PERMANENT SITUATION
Present simple: uses
I work in Puerto de la Cruz.
I live in La Orotava.
Why are we using the present simple
here?
Present simple: uses
SOMETHING THAT IS TRUE FOR A LONG
TIME
Present simple: uses
The plane leaves at 5.00.
When you arrive, phone me.
Why are we using the present simple
here?
Present simple: uses
TO REFER TO FUTURE TIME:
- IN FIXED EVENTS ON A TIMETABLE,
CALENDAR, ETC.
- IN TIME CLAUSES
Present simple: uses
If I stay up late, I feel awful.
If I pass this exam, I’ll have a party.
Why are we using the present simple
here?
Present simple: uses
IN ZERO AND FIRST CONDITIONAL CLAUSES
Present continuous: uses
It’s raining.
I’m writing my doctoral thesis.
Why are we using the present continuous
here?
Present continuous: uses
ACTIVITIES HAPPENING NOW,
ACTIVITIES HAPPENING AROUND NOW
Present continuous: uses
My sister’s living at home for the moment
until she finds a place of her own.
Why are we using the present continuous
here?
Present continuous: uses
TEMPORARY ACTIVITIES OR SITUATIONS
AROUND THE PRESENT MOMENT
Present continuous: uses
We’re getting married in October.
I’m having dinner with Anne tomorrow.
Why are we using the present continuous
here?
Present continuous: uses
FUTURE PERSONAL PLANS
Present continuous: uses
I’ve lost my key again. I’m always losing things.
My mom’s always telling me what I should and
shouldn’t eat.
Why are we using the present continuous here?
Present continuous: uses
WITH FREQUENCY ADVERBS (ALWAYS) TO
TALK ABOUT HABITS AND TO CRITICISE
Present perfect simple: uses
We’ve lived here for ten years.
We’ve been friends since 2002.
Why are we using the present perfect
simple here?
Present perfect simple: uses
UNFINISHED ACTIVITIES THAT CONTINUE
UP TO THE PRESENT
Present perfect simple: uses
I’ve just been to the shops.
I’ve already found my purse.
Why are we using the present perfect
simple here?
Present perfect simple: uses
FINISHED ACTIVITIES THAT:
a) Finished recently
b) Have a result at present
Present perfect simple: uses
I’ve never been to La Gomera.
Have you ever been to Scotland?
Why are we using the present perfect
simple here?
Present perfect simple: uses
INDEFINITE PAST EXPERIENCES
Present perfect simple: uses
My English has improved since this course
started.
Why are we using the present perfect
simple here?
Present perfect simple: uses
TO TALK ABOUT CHANGE
Present perfect continuous:
uses
We’ve been living here for ten years.
Why are we using the present perfect
continuous here?
Present perfect continuous:
uses
LONGER UNFINISHED ACTIVITIES THAT
CONTINUE UP TO THE PRESENT
Present perfect continuous:
uses
Your eyes are red. Have you been crying?
Why are we using the present perfect
continuous here?
Present perfect continuous:
uses
LONGER FINISHED ACTIVITIES THAT:
a) Finished recently
b) Have a result at present
Present perfect continuous:
uses
I’ve been coming to China for nearly 20
years.
Why are we using the present perfect
continuous here?
Present perfect continuous:
uses
REPEATED ACTIONS THAT CONTINUE
UP TO THE PRESENT
PRESENT TENSES
Created by:
Carmen Luisa Pérez Amaro